8 Factors that Affect the Mileage of An E-bike and Tips to Improve It

An e-bike's battery is one of its most important components, and rightly so. Without it, your e-bike wouldn't be much of an electric bike. The mileage of your e-bike's battery refers to the distance it can travel on a full charge before it needs to be recharged. The further the battery can go, the better your e-bike's performance. Several factors could negatively affect your e-bike's mileage. From the kinds of terrains you ride on to the weather, there are many things to consider. In this article, we'll share 8 factors that could affect the mileage of an e-bike and how you can improve it with simple steps.

8 Factors That Could Affect The Mileage Of An E-bike

Battery performance

One of the most crucial factors determining your e-bike's mileage is your battery's capacity and performance. It's common for e-bike owners to mistake their battery capacity for their mileage. However, they don't mean the same thing. A battery with better performance will last longer than other batteries with the same capacity, and the electric bike can ride a longer mileage after being fully charged. As we observe with the Engwe EP-2 Pro 2020 and Engwe EP-2 Pro 2022 version. While the 2022 version's battery capacity is only 0.2Ah bigger, it has 20km more in mileage than the 2020 version.

Battery level

It's no surprise that your battery level will determine how far your e-bike will take you. Every e-bike comes with an estimated maximum mileage, but it's worth mentioning that this figure is specifically for a fully charged battery. For example, Lankeleisi MG600 Plus Electric Bike has a maximum range of 150km on a full charge, but the mileage will be a lot shorter if the battery level is only 40%. If you want to get the most out of your e-bike, ensure that you charge it fully before using it. Many new e-bike owners make the mistake of hitting the road with their e-bike the moment it arrives. This could contribute to shortening the battery life and range.

The riding mode

Electric bikes are powered by a battery and may provide a system to take off some of your pedaling efforts. Most e-bikes have throttle and pedal assist modes. With the throttle mode, your e-bike will function much like a motorcycle or scooter. The motor provides power and propels you forward, no pedaling is needed. When using the pedal assist system (PAS), you need to pedal, the motor provides power to help you pedal easier and move faster than a regular bicycle. That’s why pedal-assist mode is much more energy-saving than pure electric mode. If you want to expand the mileage of your electric bike, go easy on the throttle and pedal more. You can also choose different assist levels to choose between saving energy and saving your effort, assist level 1 means the motor only provides a little help, and level 5 means you only need to pedal a little.

Tire pressure

The tires are the main component that bears the rider's weight and the e-bike. The tires also help you make it across whatever terrain you're on by providing friction. If your tires do not have enough pressure or are not fully inflated, the friction between the tire and the ground will increase, and it will require more energy or pedaling to move. The perfect tire pressure depends on the terrain. On city roads, the standard tire pressure ranges between 80 - 130psi. When you need more grip on rocky or loose terrains, the friction is your friend, you need to keep the tire pressure lower, between 25 - 50psi. Of course, the mileage of electric bicycles will also be shortened.

Weather

Harsh weather elements also affect your e-bike's performance and mileage. For example, riding your e-bike in a heavy wind will decrease your range as you'll need more energy to propel your bike forward. Extreme temperature also affects your mileage – colder temperatures reduce your battery's capacity to hold energy. And it’s not recommended to ride an electric bike in heavy rain, although most e-bikes have waterproof cables, the water will affect the service life of batteries, screens, and metal parts.

Terrain

Biking down a smooth, flat, and unchallenging road will require less energy than biking up a steep slope. The pedaling effort needed to overcome tough or steep terrains significantly affects your e-bike's mileage. For example, simple commuting to your workplace will give you a better range than mountain biking.

Load-bearing

The amount of load you put on your e-bike will also affect how much energy you need to put into moving it. If you have passengers or cargo on your e-bike, you'll likely need to pedal harder or increase the pedal assist. Both will drain your battery faster and reduce the mileage of your e-bike. If you weigh more than 100kg, your electric bike will definitely not reach the maximum mileage figure provided by the manufacturer. More than that, most e-bikes with lightweight frame tend to have a higher range than larger or heavier bikes.

The e-bike's overall state

Your bike's overall state will affect every aspect of its performance, especially the mileage. Wear and tear after long-time use will also affect your bike's performance and require you to use more energy to pedal or more pedal assist.

Tips to improve the mileage of your e-bike

Do not drain the battery completely

Avoid letting your battery drain out before you recharge. Batteries lose their ability to hold a charge as you use them more often, so if you observe that your e-bike's battery isn't getting decent mileage anymore, it might be time to get a replacement.

Use pedal assist mode

As you may have deduced, the more assistance you get from your bike, the more energy your bike expands and the lower its mileage. Riding in pedal assist mode will help save battery power and increase your range than riding in pure electric or throttle mode.

Keep your tires well-inflated

Tires that have less pressure are more likely to have a higher resistance to rolling on the terrain. As such, they'll need more power from the e-bike. Smoother, fully-inflated tires are more likely to give less rolling resistance and better transmission. Frequently checking your tire pressure is an essential part of maintenance. Before purchasing a bike, you should carefully consider its tires. Narrow tires with higher pressure provide better mileage and efficiency but may feel less comfortable.

Don't ride your electric bike in harsh weather

Your e-bike battery performs best in mild conditions and constant temperature. If you live in a region where riding in cold weather is unavoidable, you can invest in battery insulators or covers. Avoid riding in heavy rain or extremely cold temperatures to preserve your battery's performance, capacity, and range.

Pay attention to the maximum load of your electric bike

Your e-bike can only take so much extra load before it starts to suffer for it. All e-bikes come with a manufacturer-advised maximum loading, letting you know how much weight the e-bike can take. Generally speaking, a bigger electric bicycle has a bigger maximum load because of the stronger frame. For example, the 26-inch fat tire ebike Lankeleisi XT750 plus can bear as heavy as 200kg load, but the 14-inch city ebike Dohiker Y1 can only bear a 120kg load.

Maintain your bike regularly

If your e-bike is not in good shape, there's no way it'll perform optimally and take you as far as you need it to. Ensure that you maintain your e-bike regularly, keep it in good condition, and store it properly.

Conclusion

While many things could affect your e-bike's mileage, it is possible to minimize negative factors. By routinely checking your e-bike, using it in appropriate conditions, and maintaining it properly, you can improve its performance and range.